Beautiful Beara: Rugged landscape our 'best-kept secret'

Captivating: Norman McCloskey has spent three years capturing photographs of the Beara Peninsula, including spectacular rugged landscape and coastal imagesCaptivating: Norman McCloskey has spent three years capturing photographs of the Beara Peninsula, including spectacular rugged landscape and coastal imagesCaptivating: Norman McCloskey has spent three years capturing photographs of the Beara Peninsula, including spectacular rugged landscape and coastal images

A new collection of photographs is set to open up the rugged and rocky landscape of the Beara Peninsula in Co Kerry.

Norman McCloskey, a Kenmare-based photographer, has spent three years capturing the stunning landscape of the area, whittling thousands of images down to just 90 for his new book, 'Beara'.

"It's the first photographic book of the peninsula and it's a personal one for me because I've been photographing it for 26 years," Mr McCloskey said.

"The editing processes is always a long and difficult - but sometimes enjoyable - process," he said, adding: "It was really about getting the essence of the place rather than getting a definitive guide book."

Mr McCloskey, who runs a gallery in Kenmare, said his focus was to capture intimate elements of this raw Irish landscape.

"Photographers are looking for the big 'wow factor', but for me the landscape is all about the elements that make up these amazing rock formations.

"So that is the soft grasses and they're highlighted by the warm light we get in the early mornings on the west coast.

"There is a real distinct shape, form and colour and that is contrasted by the bogland - and you have the sea on all sides of it.

"It is a risky strategy.

"But the feedback I've got so far has been positive," he said.

"The Beara Peninsula really is Ireland's best-kept secret."

'Beara' is available to buy at www.normanmccloskey.com and is priced at €35.